Curious About Using 'Graywater'? There's a Free Workshop for Homeowners

The following is a news release from the County of Marin:

With the statewide drought in mind, Marin County Environmental Health Services is sponsoring the third of three free educational workshops Saturday, Sept. 13, as part of its Go Green With Graywater program.

The workshop will be for both residential and commercial graywater systems, including use of recycled water. It is set for 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Marin Humane Society, 171 BelMarin Keys Blvd., in Novato.

The last of the Go Green With Graywater workshops will go beyond Laundry-To-Landscape systems and address other graywater reuse and conservation options. Participants will learn about reuse – what it is, why it matters, what graywater systems are approved by the County and the State of California, and what’s involved in installing those systems. Representatives from the Marin Municipal Water District and manufacturers will be on hand as well.

Graywater is often defined as household wastewater that does not contain serious contaminants. Most of it is generated by baths, showers and clothes washers. Wastewater generated by toilets, kitchen sinks and dishwashers is called blackwater.

Recent changes in California law make repurposing graywater more accessible for homeowners who want to reuse graywater to conserve fresh water use. The workshop is part of the County’s effort to teach the community about graywater reuse and encourage residents to install safe graywater systems in accordance with health and building practices.

For more information about the County’s graywater workshops or policies, check the webpage or call 415-473-6907.